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History Week at Callan Park and Broughton Hall

August 22, 2012

Threads – Unravelling Callan Park

THREADS is the 2012 theme for NSW History Council’s annual History Week.

Since 1830s threads connect this heritage listed site to many in the local community. Step inside the heritage listed Kirkbride building and peek into the underground rooms; walk through the remnants of the historic gardens and view the unique War Memorial – Sydney’s first harbour bridge – designed by Douglas Grant, an Aboriginal veteran of World War 1 who lived at Callan Park.

The tour includes the grounds of Broughton Hall, the private estate which became a haven for shell-shocked soldiers in 1915.

Oriental influences in the interwar period saw the garden re-formed with bridges, exquisite stonework crazy paving and walling, amid a natural rainforest just 6 kms from the CBD.

THREADS take on diverse meanings in different circumstances.

Graeme Curry, who nursed at Callan Park, recalled one patient in Ward 18…

who would come along and … he’d touch parts of people’s clothing and would say, “Number 23″, and then he’d touch another part of somebody’s clothing and say, “26″, or he’d touch the wall and say, “37″ … and people thought this person is just crazy. Instead, this man used to be a tailor and so he was actually remembering the numbers for all the colours of fabrics … he was a very intelligent man who had a lot of knowledge about colours and fabrics and textures and all those things…

Date: Sunday, 16 September 2012

Event: Choice of Walking or Bus Tour – approx. 1.5 hours

Time: 11.00 am – Meet at 10.50 am

Cost: $10.00 per person

Meet at The NSW Writers’ Centre at Callan Park and follow the signs from the Main Gates at the intersection of Cecily and Darling Streets, Rozelle.

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Security & Vandalism

Should you have any security concerns or observe any vandalism or graffiti please do not hesitate to contact the Callan Park 24 Hr Security Office on 0402 696 321 - they want to be notified of all issues large and small.